Best Heating/air Conditioning System For Hay Fever?
I need to replace the existing furnace and air conditioning system in a 90-year old house, and want to install a system which minimizes pollen and other hay fever inducing allergens. Can anyone suggest a good source of info on the relative merits of forced air vs. hot water (baseboard) heating? Specifically, would I get cleaner air with baseboard heating, or with a forced air system with a HEPA filter? Also, which system would be best for preventing very dry air in the winter? (Location is in the Chicago area.) The existing system is a 20-to-30 year old natural gas forced air system. If we installed a new baseboard hot water heating system, we would probably also add a new attic-based air conditioning system. Any advice or tips on where to find reliable info would be appreciated.
Answer:
Although somewhat more expensive, the best way to heat utilizing the existing natgas system is radiant floor heat. This can be retrofitted to older houses and would be perfect for the cold winters in Chcago. As for A/C, a room air conditioner or attic mounted system in conjunction with a HEPA filter is your best bet.